Woman shares how she fell victim to virtual pickpocketing scam while grocery shopping

A woman said thieves asked to borrow her phone for a call and instead used it to steal money. (Source: WTVG)
Published: Apr. 10, 2024 at 2:50 PM EDT
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TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) - Cindy Forbes shared how she became a victim of a virtual pickpocketing scam while she was grocery shopping.

Forbes thought she was helping others but instead, she was helping scammers to her bank account.

Forbes said she was shopping around Kroger by herself on Saturday when two teens asked if they could use her phone to get a hold of a ride.

“I was holding my phone in my hands so I found it a little weird to say no, so, I said yes. I never thought anything about it,” she said.

Forbes said when she got home, she realized that something was wrong.

“My Cash App button wasn’t where it belonged so my home screen didn’t look right,” she said.

Her family figured out what the two people had done to her phone.

“She said, ‘So the last person you sent money to was $150?’ I said, ‘Absolutely not.’ ‘Well, how about $200?’ Well, that’s how I knew. How can I be that dumb?” Forbes said.

Forbes is waiting to find out if she will get any of her money back.

“Do not let anyone touch your phone,” Forbes said.

She has filed reports with the police, her bank and Cash App. For better security, she put a pin on all her financial apps.